Irish consumers could save €359m annually by shopping online
74% of respondents agree that online shopping gives access to more affordable options, research shows
Print2 January 2026
Irish shoppers could save up to €359 million annually by buying clothing online, according to new research by Copenhagen Economics commissioned by Shein.
The study reveals that Irish consumers save an average of €12.50 per month by shopping online instead of in physical stores, equivalent to approximately 14% of monthly clothing and footwear spending for Irish households.
Across the EU, the report estimates potential annual savings of €22 billion from purchasing clothing online.
The research, based on a survey of 24,995 EU consumers, including 1,162 respondents from Ireland, highlights that seven in 10 (69%) of Irish consumers consider price the most important factor when buying clothes.
Affordability and accessibility emerged as top priorities, reflecting the impact of rising living costs and the need for Irish households to manage budgets carefully.
Key findings for Ireland
- Price sensitivity: Price is the top priority for Irish consumers when purchasing clothes both online and offline.
- Better deals online: 82% agree that shopping online gives them access to better deals.
- Access to trends: 79% say online shopping provides styles and trends they would not otherwise find.
- Time savings: 79% report that online shopping saves time, while 65% say it offers clothes that better fit their preferences.
- Affordability: 74% agree that online shopping gives access to more affordable options.
Other challenges
The report also highlights challenges for rural consumers.
58% of rural respondents find it difficult to access physical clothing stores near their homes, compared to 37% of non-rural respondents.
Over eight in 10 (84%) of rural respondents also typically travel more than 20 minutes to reach the nearest clothing store, versus 60% of non-rural respondents.
Shopping habits
The study comes as e-commerce continues to reshape shopping habits, with 77% of EU internet users buying online in 2024, up from 53% in 2010.
Henrik Ballebye Okholm from Copenhagen Economics commented on the findings:
“We have examined what the surveyed consumers (in Ireland) themselves value most about e-commerce,” he said.
They indicate price as the top priority and report online shopping not only offers better deals but also provides access to a wider range of styles and sizes, which is particularly important for rural communities where physical store access is more limited.”
© 2026, by ShelfLife reporter
Related Articles
Bank of Ireland warns customers of ads impersonating well-known retailers →
Followers 0
Fans 0
Followers